Reduction Mammoplasty (breast reduction surgery) is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the breast. There are a range of psychological and aesthetic reasons that drive women to seek breast reductions, one of which is Macromastia, large breasts that put physical strain on the back, breasts and neck and can cause breathing problems over time.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery available on the NHS?
Breast reduction surgery is available on the NHS only in certain circumstances. It is not available in all areas, however, due to constraints on funding, and waiting lists where funding is available are long. As breast reduction is normally considered an aesthetic rather than medical procedure, convincing your GP and Primary Care Trust that you require it for medical reasons can be an uphill struggle.
How do I qualify for and NHS Breast Reduction?
Problems with overly large breasts are beginning to be recognised as a medical problem, however it is very difficult to construct a good case as funding is very limited to those in most need. Your first step in the process is to consult your GP who will discuss different options with you and assess your suitability for surgery against a set of criteria. If you are considered overweight, you will be asked to lose weight prior to any referral being made.
If your GP considers that you are eligible for surgery, he will refer your case to the local Primary Care Trust (PCT). You will probably need to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon and in some cases, psychological assessment, before the PCT can make a decision on whether you can qualify.
How long is the waiting list for an NHS Breast Reduction?
How long you wait is dependent upon where you live. Each PCT has differing budgets and varying demands on those budgets. You PCT will decide how much funding can be spent in any one period and this will dictate how long you must wait for your operation. There have been cases where patients have waited only days before a cancellation slot came in. On the other hand, there are stories of waiting 9 months or more. There are also examples of surgery being delayed by an insistence on psychological counselling which can last up to two years.
Private Alternatives
Whilst some women fight to obtain surgery from the NHS, others consider it worth paying to avoid the emotional roller-coaster involved in seeking NHS funding. Typical private surgery costs between
£4500 and £6000 in the UK, although if you search around and are willing to travel, you may find prices as low as
£3500.
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